Iran Test-Fires Missile

Iran Test-Fires Missile - Iran has test-fired a new, more accurate short-range missile capable of striking land and sea targets, it said on Saturday, a show of strength that underscored its ability to hit shipping in the Strait of Hormuz if attacked.

Weird world Records

 

Weird world records - Guinness Book of World Records, World's longest fingernails, World’s steepest roller coaster, Check out some of the most outrageous record breakers that Guinness has to offer from no-nonsense nails to cringe-worthy coasters.

 

World’s shortest living man

Southern Asia is home to 72-year-old weaver Chandra Bahadur Dangi the shortest man living and Guinness’ shortest person ever measured.  Chandra Bahadur Dangi + travels the world, Junrey Balawing + 23.5 inches, Sultan Kösen + 8 ft 3 in, Chandra Bahadur Dangi 21.5 inch,

 

Most spoons on a human body

In December 2011, Etibar Elchiyev — a resident of this European capital — attempted to break the world record for most spoons on a body. Etibar Elchiyev + 50 metal spoons, Etibar Elchiyev + body acts as a magnet, Aaron Caissie + 17 spoons,

 

Most pierced man

Germany’s Rolf Bucholz holds the record for most piercings, including 94 in and around his lips. german rolf bucholz 453 piercings, Rolf Buchholz + computer expert,

 

Longest distance by unicycle on a line of beer bottles

In March 2011, a German man took a unicycle for a spin across a row of glued-together beer bottles and pedaled his way into the record books. Lutz Eichholz + 26.21 ft,

 

Heaviest onion

A UK retiree harvested the world’s largest onion in September 2011, breaking the previous 2005 record. peter glazebrook heaviest onion, John Sifford + 16lb 8.37oz, heaviest onion 17-lb, Peter Glazebrook + heaviest potato + parsnip,

 

Longest underwater kiss

An Italian couple took a romantic plunge in July 2011, breaking the record for the longest aquatic make-out session. Mike Maric + Ilaria Bonin + three minutes and eight seconds,

 

Heaviest plane pulled by people in wheelchairs

A team of 84 thrill-seekers in wheelchairs got together in May 2011 to pull an aircraft 100 meters. 67 ton plane pulled by people in wheelchairs,

 

Strong man team pulls passenger ferry

A European strong man team set a May 2011 record by pulling a ferry boat using nothing but their brawn. Baltic Queen passenger ferry, strong man team + 21746 ton passenger ferry,

 

Longest fingernails

Dubbed “The Dutchess,” this Vegas woman holds Guinness’ record as the female with the longest fingernails. longest fingernails nearly 20 feet, Chris “The Dutchess” Walton + 18 years, Lee Redmond + longest fingernails,

 

World’s steepest roller coaster

Japan’s “Takabisha” coaster has earned the title of steepest coaster made from steel. rollercoaster japan worlds steepest 141 ft drop,

 

World’s longest cigar

A renowned Cuban cigar maker set his fifth world record in May 2011 by rolling a staggeringly long stogy. World’s longest cigar + 268 ft 4 in, wallace margarita reyes longest cigar record, Patricio Peña + longest cigar,

 

World’s largest omelet

It took more than 60 Turkish chefs to craft the world’s most gut-busting breakfast item in October 2010. 4.4 ton omelette, largest omelette 110,000 eggs,

 

World’s tallest living dog

“The Old Pueblo” is home to Giant George, who, as of February 2010, holds the title of world’s tallest dog. worlds tallest dog 43 inches, Giant George weighs 245 lbs, Giant George: Life with the Worlds’ Biggest Dog,

 

Most naked riders on a rollercoaster

It took three trips on the Green Scream coaster to fit them all, but eventually, a group donning their birthday suits set a record for most naked riders on a theme park ride. 102 + Most naked riders on a rollercoaster, Bosom Pals + local breast cancer support,

 

Most pierced woman

A Brazilian-born woman Elaine Davidson holds the record for world’s most pierced woman, and the 192 piercings on her face are just the tip of the iceberg. Elaine Davidson 7,000 piercings, Elaine Davidson + wedding + June 2011,

 

Most worms eaten

Guinness gives one Indian man C. manoharan record most eaten worms, credit for eating the most worms in 30 seconds. 200 live worms record, C. Manoharan + snake charmer, C. Manoharan + sale of endangered live reptiles,

 

Largest swimming pool

The largest outdoor swimming pool is filled with seawater and can be found at the San Alfonso Del Mar Resort. worlds largest swimming pool 3,324 ft long, worlds biggest pool 66 million gallons, San Alfonso Del Mar pool + $4 million,

 

Most expensive dessert

An upscale eatery in Manhattan serves up Guinness’ most expensive dessert, “The Frrrozen Haute Chocolate” ice cream sundae.  The Frrrozen Haute Chocolate ice cream sundae + $25,000, most expensive dessert made gold diamonds, Marc Guibert + expensive chocolate pudding,

Tax Day Giveaways 2012

Tax Day Giveaways 2012 - Every year, when tax day rolls around, massive numbers of companies come out of the woodwork, offering freebies, giveaways, discounts, pretty much anything you can imagine. Some of these deals are really worthless, but some are great, and some of them are even useful.


Perhaps the most useful freebie to be found on tax day comes from Office Depot. This one is mostly for people who wait until the last possible minute to file, and need some copies done. Office Depot will offer you 25 free pages of copying services. Tax Day Giveaways 2012,

The second isn’t as useful, but it could be as important. Need some stress taken off after your taxes? HydroMassage will offer you a free 10-minute massage, which has been wildly popular in the last few years.

• AMC Theatres: Free Popcorn for Tax Weekend (through 4/15)
• Arby’s: Free Curly Fries on Tax Day (4/17)
• Boston Market: Free Meal with Purchase on Tax Day (4/17)
• Burger King: $1 Chicken Wraps for Tax Weekend (through 4/15)
• Cinnabon: 2 Free Cinnabon Bites on Tax Day (4/17)
• Chili’s: Free Appetizer or Dessert with Entree Purchase for Tax Season (4/16 – 4/18)
• HydroMassage: Free HydroMassage for Tax Season (4/16 – 4/20)
• MaggieMoo’s and Marble Slab Creamery: Free Frozen Yogurt on Tax Day (4/17)
• Office Depot: Free 25 Copies + 5 Pounds of Shredding for Tax Season (through 4/16)
• Panda Express: Free Steak on Tax Day (4/17)
• Seattle’s Best Coffee: Free Cup of Coffee on Tax Day (4/17), plus get a Free Sample on Facebook
• Sonic: Half-priced Drinks on Tax Day (4/17)
• TurboTax: Prepare, Print, and E-File your Tax Return for Free

Source: dbtechno

Failed Presidential Bids

Failed presidential bids - failed presidential candidates, Michele Bachmann: Done. John Huntsman: Done. Rick Perry: Done. While the reasons for their premature exits may still be unclear – doggy sunglasses? Too many “oops” moments? – some previous candidates’ presidential campaigns went off the rails at precise moments. Let’s take a look back.

Herman Cain - The former pizza chain CEO’s White House run included an awkward foreign policy gaffe, an economic plan reminiscent of a pizza deal and harassment allegations. godfather's pizza, herman cain harassment, herman cain ginger white,

John Edwards - The former U.S. senator – whose wife was battling cancer – was in the middle of his second presidential campaign when he pulled out of the race amid poor primary showings and swirling rumors. john edwards 2004 campaign, john edwards affair,

Howard Dean - The six-term governor lost three early primaries, but a bout of the flu and a microphone helped end his presidential hopes. howard dean won vermont primary 2004, howard dean scream,

Al Gore - The former vice president battled it out with eventual winner George W. Bush in a heated campaign that involved “hanging chads,” the state of Florida and an unusual outcome. president george w. bush, hanging chads, 2000 presidential election florida, bush v gore supreme court case, al gore invented the internet,

Ross Perot - The Texas billionaire and independent candidate at one time led the race before dropping out unexpectedly. 1992 presidential candidates, ross perot re-entered race, ross perot daughter's wedding allegations,

Gary Hart - The former U.S. senator was making a second run for the White House when he dared reporters to dig up proof of extramarital affairs. gary hart "follow me around, gary hart donna rice,

Michael Dukakis - The former governor committed his fatal campaign faux pas after accusations that he was too liberal and soft on crime. michael dukakis + pledge of allegiance, michael dukakis tank ride,

Gerald Ford - The Republican president committed a huge debate gaffe during the campaign, but it was something he did while in office that cost him the election. gerald ford appointed under 25th amendment, gerald ford free poland, president jimmy carter, gerald ford granted pardon to richard nixon,

Barry Goldwater - The former U.S. senator – often credited as the father of the modern American conservative movement – lost to an incumbent president. american conservative movement, barry goldwater 52 electoral votes, barry goldwater daisy ad,

Sean Quinn

Sean Quinn faces bankruptcy bid in Irish court

Sean Quinn - A Dublin court is due to hear an application by the former Anglo Irish Bank to have Fermanagh businessman Sean Quinn declared bankrupt.

If the bank succeeds, Mr Quinn, 65, could be declared insolvent in the Republic of Ireland which has a more onerous bankruptcy regime.


Last week, the bank succeeded in having Mr Quinn's bankruptcy status in Northern Ireland annulled.

Mr Quinn, once Ireland's richest man, lost control of his empire last year.

The bank, now called IBRC, appointed a receiver over a £2bn debt.

In the High Court in Northern Ireland last week, the IRBC argued that Mr Quinn was based in the Republic of Ireland.

Mr Justice Deeney found in favour of the bank, annulling the bankruptcy.

He found that a lease for an office in Derrylin, County Fermanagh, had been drawn up to "bolster" Mr Quinn's claim and that his centre of interest prior to bankruptcy was, in fact, in the Republic of Ireland between his home in County Cavan, offices in Belturbet and advisors' offices in Dublin.

The judge described the Derrylin lease as "a somewhat curious document".

Justice Deeny added: "I conclude, on the balance of probabilities, that this lease has been prepared at some much later date to try and bolster the case now being made."

He commented that Mr Quinn had failed to disclose the fact that he held an Irish passport and no UK passport, that he was a voter in the Republic of Ireland and that, despite being a UK taxpayer, 20% of his taxes were paid to the authorities in the Republic of Ireland.

Mr Justice Deeny stated that, taken together, these matters were material and ought to have been disclosed.

The bankruptcy period in Northern Ireland typically lasts for a year whereas in the Republic it is at least five years.

After the Belfast case, Mr Quinn said the case taken by the bank was "a sham".

"I'm 65 years of age and I've never worked a day of my life outside Northern Ireland," he said.

"I never did a day's work from southern Ireland in my life. I never done a day's work in my home. I never had any computers, I never had any IT system. Everything was always done from Derrylin."

He added: "What Anglo Irish has done to the Quinn Group is like somebody taking a sledgehammer to a child's toy - they've absolutely destroyed it."


Source: bbc

Angry Michelle Obama

Angry Michelle Obama - Michelle Obama Dismisses 'Angry Black Woman' Image

Angry Michelle Obama - First Lady Michelle Obama denied reports of tension between her and White House aides, saying people have tried to portray her as "some kind of angry black woman."


In an interview with CBS News, the first lady said she has not read New York Times reporter Jodi Kantor's new book "The Obamas," which depicts her as a forceful behind-the-scenes power player in her husband's administration who often clashes with the president's top advisers.

"I never read these books," Obama told CBS' Gayle King. "I've just gotten in the habit of not reading other people's impressions of people."

The first lady denied accusations that she is frustrated and unhappy in the White House, saying "I love this job" and that it has "been a privilege" from day one.

"I guess it's more interesting to imagine this conflicted situation here and a strong woman. But that's been an image that people have tried to paint of me since the day Barack announced. That I'm some angry black woman."

Asked how she deals with that image, Mrs. Obama said "I just try to be me.

"My hope is that over time people get to know me. And they get to judge me for me," she said. "That's why I don't read these books. Because, you know, it's a game in so many ways… Who can write about how I feel? Who? What third person can tell me how I feel? Or anybody for that matter."

The first lady pushed back specifically against reports of friction with the president's former Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and former Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.

"Rahm and I have never had a cross word. He's a funny guy," she said. "I don't have conversations with my husband's staff. I don't go to the meetings. Our staffs work together really well. If there's communication that needs to happen, it happens between staffs… I can count the number of times I go over to the West Wing, period."

Mrs. Obama also said she was unaware of the 2010 incident, detailed in the book, when Gibbs lost his temper and reportedly shouted profanities about the first lady. "Robert Gibbs is a trusted adviser. He's been a good friend and remains so. I'm sure that we could go day-to-day and find things people wish they didn't say to each other or said. People stumble. People make mistakes."

Source: yahoo

South Carolina primary

South Carolina primary - GOP Candidates Step Up South Carolina Push as Polls Show New Leaderboard

South Carolina primary - The Republican presidential candidates are keeping a close eye on South Carolina even as they prepare for the first-in-the-nation New Hampshire primary, with new polls showing the leaderboard shifting in the Palmetto State contest.


Three polls Friday showed Mitt Romney reclaiming the lead from Newt Gingrich in South Carolina following the former Massachusetts governor's narrow win Tuesday in Iowa. Rick Santorum and Gingrich are now battling for second in South Carolina -- whose election results historically have been the most accurate gauge for who becomes the Republican presidential nominee.

"It's going to come down, as it always does, to South Carolina," Sen. John McCain, the 2008 GOP nominee, said Friday while on the stump with Romney in Conway, S.C. "If Mitt Romney wins here, he will be the next president of the United States."

McCain predicted Romney would win in New Hampshire, hardly a radical forecast at this point. Most polls show Romney well ahead in the state, though the race there is tightening a bit.

Although all the GOP candidates are competing in New Hampshire, even before the Iowa caucus results came in they were plotting for how to make inroads in South Carolina and prevent Romney from going three for three.

Gingrich said in an interview Friday that one of Romney's rivals "will eventually emerge as the conservative alternative and will beat Romney."

Gingrich lost an earlier lead in South Carolina but he remains competitive there despite a fourth-place finish in Iowa. A Rasmussen Reports poll out Friday showed Romney with 27 percent support in South Carolina, followed by Santorum with 24 percent and Gingrich with 18 percent. An American Research Group poll in the state showed Romney with 31 percent, and Gingrich and Santorum each with 24 percent.

A CNN/Time poll later showed Romney with 37 percent, followed by Santorum at 19 percent and Gingrich at 18 percent.

The polls reflected a steady rise for Romney and an astonishing surge for Santorum following his near-tie with Romney in Iowa -- Rasmussen had him at 1 percent in South Carolina just two months ago.

The Rasmussen poll of 750 likely GOP primary voters was taken Thursday and had a margin of error of 4 percentage points. The ARG survey of 600 likely GOP voters was taken Wednesday and Thursday and also had a margin of error of 4 percentage points. The CNN/Time poll of 485 likely primary voters was taken Wednesday and Thursday, with a margin of error of 4.5 percentage points.

McCain and other Romney surrogates hammered at the candidate's rivals ahead of the New Hampshire and South Carolina contests. McCain criticized Gingrich and Santorum for supporting earmarks in Congress, telling voters, "My friends, earmarks are the gateway to corruption."

Romney's GOP rivals are likewise working overtime to cast as him to too timid and too moderate: They're urging Republicans to do themselves a favor and nominate a more conservative standard-bearer offering a sharper contrast to Obama.

"The only way Republicans lose is if we screw this up and nominate another moderate who has taken multiple positions on every major issue of our time," Santorum, a former Pennsylvania senator, told supporters in a fundraising appeal Friday.

Gingrich argued on ABC News that Romney can't win the nomination and said that even if he did, his performance against Obama in the general election campaign debates would be laughable.

Romney is heavily favored to win Tuesday's New Hampshire primary, so much so that he can afford to focus on South Carolina, where voters aren't due to cast primary ballots for another two weeks.

Romney kept his focus on Obama, telling his audience in Conway that the president's proposal to reduce the military and focus more on Asia was "inexcusable, unthinkable and it must be reversed."

Santorum, who pulled within a handful of votes to place just behind Romney in Iowa's caucuses, is likely to find a welcome audience among South Carolina conservatives, and so he remained in New Hampshire to try to maintain the momentum he earned from Iowa.

"Don't settle for less than America needs," Santorum asked those expected to vote in New Hampshire's first-in-the nation primary. Without saying so Thursday, he and the other candidates appeared to share a common objective -- hold down Romney's vote totals in New Hampshire, then knock him off stride in the first Southern primary.

Romney benefited handsomely from having several rivals split the vote in Iowa, where his winner's share was roughly 25 percent.

His allies were fully engaged in the tussle over which GOP candidate is the true conservative. On Friday, he showcased the endorsement of conservative leader Bay Buchanan, whose brother Pat won the New Hampshire primary in 1996. Bay Buchanan cast Romney as a "real conservative" who could get things done.

Restore Our Future, the pro-Romney super PAC that unloaded a barrage of negative TV ads on Gingrich in Iowa, planned to go after him again -- this time in print. The group announced Friday it had purchased full-page newspaper ads in New Hampshire and South Carolina tying the former House speaker to Obama.

"On issue after issue, Newt Gingrich and Barack Obama have so much in common, the right choice is to choose neither," the ad said, ticking through issues, including backing the federal bank bailout and favoring "amnesty" for illegal immigrants

Jon Huntsman, who bypassed Iowa to bet his campaign on a good finish in New Hampshire, was showing off an endorsement by The Boston Globe, Romney's hometown paper. It was the second time Massachusetts' largest newspaper had snubbed Romney ahead of the New Hampshire primary.

Also vying to emerge as Romney's chief rival were Texans Ron Paul and Rick Perry.

Perry, who finished fifth in Iowa, released a biographical ad in South Carolina that spokesman Ray Sullivan said shows his "perfect-for-South-Carolina status" as a conservative man of faith and a veteran.

Paul, who placed third in Iowa, was arriving in New Hampshire on Friday, in time to campaign and participate in a pair of weekend debates.


Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/01/06/gop-candidates-step-up-south-carolina-push-as-polls-tighten/#ixzz1jA0f26dy

Kodak Bankruptcy

Kodak Bankruptcy - Investors dumped Eastman Kodak's stock Friday amid fears that the photography pioneer is headed toward bankruptcy.


After its stock lost more than half its value in a volatile day of trading, Kodak tried to paint a rosier picture. "Kodak is committed to meeting all of its obligations and has no intention of filing for bankruptcy," the company said in a statement. The reassurance lifted Kodak shares in extended trading, but the rebound wasn't enough to undo the damage sustained in a brutal week for a hallowed name in U.S. business.

The Wall Street Journal rattled Kodak's already jittery shareholders with a Friday report that the company has hired Jones Day, a law firm that dispenses advice on bankruptcies and other restructuring alternatives.

Kodak confirmed the Jones Day hiring in its statement, describing the firm as one of several advisers helping its management turn around the Rochester, New York, company after losing nearly $1.8 billion since 2007. "It is not unusual for a company in transformation to explore all options and to engage a variety of outside advisers," Kodak said.

Friday's news followed a Kodak disclosure earlier this week that the company was borrowing $160 million from a $400 million line of credit.

The daisy chain of events convinced some investors that Kodak is running out of cash as it scrambles to adapt to the age of digital imagery.

Eastman Kodak Co. shares plunged 91 cents, or 54 percent, to close at 78 cents per share. The stock regained 35 cents in extended trading after management defused the bankruptcy speculation. The shares stood at $2.38 at the beginning of the week.

The selling was so intense during Friday's regular session that the shares temporarily stopped trading under the New York Stock Exchange's automated controls. At one point, Kodak's stock sagged to a new low of just 54 cents.

After 131 years in business, Kodak finds itself on shaky ground largely because of the shift to digital cameras. That change, coupled with tougher foreign competition, has undercut sales of the film that made Kodak famous.

To survive, the company has been mining its patent portfolio for additional cash. Since 2008, Kodak has pocketed nearly $2 billion in royalties and licensing fees. In July, Kodak hired investment bankers Lazard Ltd. to sell about 1,100 digital-imaging patents.

The question now is whether those measures will be enough to keep Kodak afloat. The company had $957 million in cash as of June 30, down from $1.6 billion at the start of the year.


Source: yahoo

Weirdest News Stories of 2011

Weirdest News Stories of 2011 - Weird news stories of 2011, This year’s headline oddities stopped us in our tracks with reports of medical marvels, misfired cannonballs and animals with star quality. See which news stories had our jaws dropping in 2011.

Baby seal wanders into living room, Baby seal on couch, After a hard day, who doesn’t want to curl up and catch some winks on the sofa? At least that’s what seal pup “Lucky” had in mind when he wandered into a house in Bay of Plenty in early December. Seal pup crawls through cat door, Seal pup + climbed into front seat + turned on radio,

Silicone breast swallowed during Pilates, Silicone breast swallowed during pilates, While doing a Pilates exercise this month, a 59-year-old woman’s body “swallowed” one of her breast implants.

Michael Jackson hair roulette ball, Michael Jackson hair roulette ball, A gambling website purchased strands of the King of Pop’s hair at auction and planned to convert the hair into a roulette ball, to be sold to any interested casino. Michael Jackson hair + $10,871, "We want Michael to continue to rock and ‘ROLL’ forever”,

Mythbusters cannonball shoots through house, When the hosts of this cable science show were testing projectile speeds, one of their cannonballs flew through a suburban California home’s front door, its master bedroom and into a neighbor’s minivan. Mythbusters cannonball aiming for water-filled garbage cans, Adam Savage + “This is the worst we can imagine happening”

Woman gives birth in art gallery, On Oct. 25, a Brooklyn-based performance artist gave birth to her son, Ajax, in a New York art gallery as an act of artistic expression. "The Birth of Baby X" 19 to 20 people present, Marni Kotak + telling our child his life is a precious work of art,

Cyclops shark discovered, Cyclops shark discovered, In July, fishermen discovered a one-eyed albino dusky shark fetus inside its mother. See photos that many thought were doctored. cyclops shark did not survive,

Woman sues “Drive”, A Michigan woman sued the distributor of Ryan Gosling’s action/drama over a trailer that she found misleading. Sarah Deming sues "Drive", Sarah Deming "having very little driving in the motion picture"

Genetically modified glowing beagle, Genetically modified glowing beagle, South Korean scientists cloned a beagle puppy that glows green under ultraviolet light. The puppy is part of a study that hopes to someday find cures for human diseases. Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer, Tegon the beagle, glowing dog cure for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's

Woman’s nipple on her foot, An unidentified 22-year-old woman reported a third nipple … on the bottom of her foot. The growth comes complete with an areola and hair. The dermatological community’s calling it the first report of SBT on a sole. "Pseudomamma on the foot",

Breakdancing gorilla, Zola, a male gorilla at the Calgary Zoo, was taped busting some break-dance moves in June. Watch him in action. His dance skills make sense — his first zoo home was in the birthplace of breaking.

Woman wakes funeral dies, A 49-year-old woman, who was wrongly declared dead, arose at her own funeral. The shock of seeing mourners surrounding her coffin caused her to suffer fatal heart failure. Fagilyu Mukhametzyanov alive at funeral 12 minutes, Fagili Mukhametzyanov suing hospital,

Shape-shifting cuttlefish, A May study reported that cuttlefish are copycats — using mimicking gestures to take on the shapes of nearby objects and even pictures.

Ring dropped down toilet 72 years ago, Jesse Mattos lost his high school class ring in a butcher shop toilet 72 years ago and chalked it up to a loss. In May, a sanitation worker found the monogrammed ring and tracked down its 90-year-old owner. Tony Congi ring bucket of debris

Baby named after Facebook like, An Israeli couple named their newborn daughter Like, after a feature on social networking site, Facebook. Lior and Vardit Adler, Vardit Adler "unique, creative and totally new"

18-month old signs football contract, After viewing a YouTube clip of an 18-month-old kicking soccer balls into a toy bin, a Dutch soccer team offered the tot a 10-year professional contract. Baerke van der Meij grandfather played for VVV-Venlo

Man has 82 tattoos of Julia Roberts, A newspaper vendor in Chile has spent 10 years collecting 82 tattoos of his favorite actress. Miljenko Bukovic + tattoos + "Because she's beautiful",

Girl’s hunger strike to attend royal wedding, A Mexican teen (Estibalis Chavez hunger strike)staged a hunger strike in front of the British embassy in Mexico City in hopes of earning an invitation to the royal wedding. She didn’t get an invitation, but she did win a free trip. Estibalis Chavez + 16-day hunger strike,

Knife removed from man’s head after 4 years, In February, surgeons in China removed a rusty 4-inch blade from the skull of a 30-year-old patient who, unknowingly, had it stuck there for four years. Li Fuyan stabbed in jaw by robber, Li Fuyan severe headaches bad breath and breathing difficulties